Hello - InspectionNews

JORY LANNES · #1 (**permalink**) 06-16-2008, 04:16 AM

Hi all;
This is my first thread as a full member.I do inspections in the Chicago Area. I came across a natural gas manifold with five flex yellow stainless steel feeds for the furnace,hot water heater,stove and fire place .Several of the flex lines exceeded 20 feet. each line had a gate valve shut off. The installation was in a 4 yr old 30 unit condo

Has any one come across an installation like this in Chicago? Is it proper.

Thanks

Jory Lannes

David Banks · #2 (**permalink**) 06-16-2008, 06:20 AM

Jory. Post your question in the heating section. You may get a better response as some may not read new member section. Just a thought.

Markus Keller · #3 (**permalink**) 06-16-2008, 10:13 AM

Have I come across this type of improper install? YES.
Is it wrong? Hell, YES.
Furnaces and hot water tanks must be hard piped in Chicago. Pipe has to come to the wall behind the stove and then the stove fed with a flex line. Flex line can't run through walls or floors.
Gate valve? Gate valves are not generally approved for gas that I am aware of. Gas uses ballcocks.
You stated 'yellow flex line'. Do you mean the Pex type gas line material or a bunch of appliance connector lines coupled together to make up 20'?
From what you say the install doesn't sound proper or safe.